Forgotten Music from the Isles of the West

Book Review: Scottish Traditional Tunes & Songs by J.S. Clark

Those who are familiar with the Songs of the Hebrides, collected mainly by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser, will love this new book just published by John S. Clark, and those who are not familiar with these songs are in for a treat!  Ms. Kennedy-Fraser arranged many of these wonderful songs with lovely piano settings for artistic performances. In this book, John has shared songs listed in Kennedy-Fraser’s written introductions that received no piano settings and for that reason, have been somewhat passed over in favor of the longer and more elaborate art-song settings. These were work songs that the industrious Scottish people sang over and over again as they carried out their hard, monotonous tasks.  The singing lifted their souls so that they could work for long hours.

In this new publication, John has first shared the melody by itself, which can be sung or played on the recorder or stringed instrument in the original circular manner where melodies can be sung over and over without stopping. Right underneath this melody, he has provided a chordal accompaniment and chord symbols, along with the words and melody, so that individuals or groups can sing the songs and accompany them on their chosen instrument. One can then play or sing the songs in the original circular manner as many times as wished. This is a wonderful evening activity. Whenever I have sung a few of them in a circular manner in the evening, I have found that I sleep much more peacefully through the night. 

I highly recommend acquiring this appealing and useful new publication from John S. Clark – Scottish Traditional Tunes & Songs, Volume 1, Forgotten Music from the Isles of the West.

Book review by Diane Barnes, Hillsdale, NY
Published by J.S. Clark 2021